Section 5.2. Introduction


5.2. Introduction

You just opened an email from Christine that reads:

Good morning,

A few months ago we sat down to design the network. We discussed the challenges ahead and we all agreed to compromise our design to keep it simple. We knew there would be problems, but anticipated that we would have some time to resolve any issues that might be encountered.

As you now know, we started off on the wrong foot. We have a lot of unhappy users. One of them resigned yesterday afternoon because she was under duress to complete some critical projects. She suffered a blue screen of death situation just as she was finishing four hours of intensive work, all of which was lost. She has a unique requirement that involves storing large files on her desktop. Mary's desktop profile is nearly 1 GB in size. As a result of her desktop configuration, it takes her nearly 15 minutes just to log onto her workstation. But that is not enough. Because all network logon traffic passes over the network links between our buildings, logging on may take three or four attempts due to blue screen problems associated with network timeouts.

A few of us worked to help her out of trouble. We convinced her to stay and promised to fully resolve the difficulties she is facing. We have no choice. We must implement LDAP and set hard limits on what our users can do with their desktops. Otherwise, we face staff losses that can surely do harm to our growth as well as to staff morale. I am sure we can better deal with the consequences of what we know we must do than we can with the unrest we have now.

Stan and I have discussed the current situation. We are resolved to help our users and protect the well being of Abmas. Please acknowledge this advice with consent to proceed as required to regain control of our vital IT operations.

Christine

Every compromise has consequences. Having a large routed (i.e., multisegment) network with only a single domain controller is a poor design that has obvious operational effects that may frustrate users. Here is your reply:

Christine, Your diligence and attention to detail are much valued. Stan and I fully support your proposals to resolve the issues. I am confident that your plans fully realized will significantly boost staff morale. Please go ahead with your plans. If you have any problems, please let me know. Please let Stan know what the estimated cost will be so I can approve the expense. Do not wait for approval; I appreciate the urgency.

Bob

5.2.1. Assignment Tasks

The priority of assigned tasks in this chapter is:

1.

Implement Backup Domain Controllers (BDCs) in each building. This involves a change from a tdbsam backend that was used in the previous chapter to an LDAP-based backend.

You can implement a single central LDAP server for this purpose.

2.

Rectify the problem of excessive logon times. This involves redirection of folders to network shares as well as modification of all user desktops to exclude the redirected folders from being loaded at login time. You can also create a new default profile that can be used for all new users.

You configure a new MS Windows XP Professional workstation disk image that you roll out to all desktop users. The instructions you have created are followed on a staging machine from which all changes can be carefully tested before inflicting them on your network users.

This is the last network example in which specific mention of printing is made. The example again makes use of the CUPS printing system.



    Samba-3 by Example. Practical Exercises to Successful Deployment
    Samba-3 by Example: Practical Exercises to Successful Deployment (2nd Edition)
    ISBN: 013188221X
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 142

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